Special Seminar for Students Scholars, area experts, government representatives, dignitaries — both American and foreign — visit schools supplementing standard curricula with insights on current international issues.
"In thirty years of teaching, I can definitely say that the World Affairs Council's International Affairs Education Program has been more important to my students and me than any other organization.You bring enrichment and knowledge that is simply not available anywhere else." - An award-winning social studies teacher
Use the links below to watch recent school presentations.
Rising Powers: Dr. Michael R. Kraig, Senior Fellow with the Stanley Foundation, March 19, 2009
Michael Kraig from the Stanley Foundation provided analysis of the dynamics driving the diffusion, redistribution, and redefinition of power around the globe, and suggested policy options for how the United States can continue to play a global leadership role in an age of multiple rising powers. Click here to watch this video now!
Diplomacy for the 21st Century: Ambassador Marc Grossman, Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, May 14, 2009
Prior to his retirement in 2005 after 29 years in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Grossman served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third-ranking position in the U.S. Department of State. A Career Ambassador, his distinguished career included senior assignments as the Director General of the Foreign Service, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, as well as Special Assistant to the Secretary of State. Click here to watch this video now!
Special Seminar for Students: Spotlight on Darfur - Ending the Genocide: Jerry Fowler, President, Save Darfur Coalition, March 12, 2009
Since early 2003, Sudanese government soldiers and their proxy militia, known as Janjaweed, have fought rebel groups in the western region of Darfur. In a genocide campaign that lasted from 2003 to 2005, as many as 200,000 civilians died from violence, disease, and starvation. Since 2003, thousands of women have been raped and more than 2.7 million have been driven from their homes, their villages burned and property stolen. Although rebel groups have contributed to the region's insecurity, many feel the Sudanese government bears primary responsibility for the danger to civilians. What are the broader implications of this regional conflict? What is being done within the international community to help put an end to the genocide? How are Americans becoming involved to help Darfur? Click here to watch this video now!
Human Rights: David Barnard Professor, Department of Medicine, Director, Institute to Enhance Palliative Care, Adjunct Professor, School of Law, Center for Bioethics and Health Law, University of Pittsburgh, Feb. 11, 2009
As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 60th anniversary, events in the Balkans, Sudan and Myanmar continue to challenge its guidelines while raising new questions about the prospects for humanitarian interventions. Do human rights transcend national borders and customs? Is the definition of human rights changing? How does health care relate to Human Rights. What are the legal aspects we should be thinking about in regards to human rights? Click here to watch this video now!
Spotlight on Georgia - Conflict and International Relations: His Excellency Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Dec 4, 2008
Fighting in Georgia’s region of South Ossetia in August caused widespread destruction and forced the world to focus on long-simmering tensions between Georgia and Russia. Now that the fighting has officially ended, what is to be done about the strained relations that remain? What does this mean for relations between these countries and the U.S.?Click here to watch this video now!
Click here to request a speaker.
"In thirty years of teaching, I can definitely say that the World Affairs Council's International Affairs Education Program has been more important to my students and me than any other organization. You bring enrichment and knowledge that is simply not available anywhere else." - An award-winning social studies teacher
Use the links below to watch recent school presentations.
Rising Powers: Dr. Michael R. Kraig, Senior Fellow with the Stanley Foundation, March 19, 2009
Michael Kraig from the Stanley Foundation provided analysis of the dynamics driving the diffusion, redistribution, and redefinition of power around the globe, and suggested policy options for how the United States can continue to play a global leadership role in an age of multiple rising powers. Click here to watch this video now!
Diplomacy for the 21st Century: Ambassador Marc Grossman, Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, May 14, 2009
Prior to his retirement in 2005 after 29 years in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Grossman served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third-ranking position in the U.S. Department of State. A Career Ambassador, his distinguished career included senior assignments as the Director General of the Foreign Service, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, as well as Special Assistant to the Secretary of State. Click here to watch this video now!
Special Seminar for Students: Spotlight on Darfur - Ending the Genocide: Jerry Fowler, President, Save Darfur Coalition, March 12, 2009
Since early 2003, Sudanese government soldiers and their proxy militia, known as Janjaweed, have fought rebel groups in the western region of Darfur. In a genocide campaign that lasted from 2003 to 2005, as many as 200,000 civilians died from violence, disease, and starvation. Since 2003, thousands of women have been raped and more than 2.7 million have been driven from their homes, their villages burned and property stolen. Although rebel groups have contributed to the region's insecurity, many feel the Sudanese government bears primary responsibility for the danger to civilians. What are the broader implications of this regional conflict? What is being done within the international community to help put an end to the genocide? How are Americans becoming involved to help Darfur? Click here to watch this video now!
Human Rights: David Barnard Professor, Department of Medicine, Director, Institute to Enhance Palliative Care, Adjunct Professor, School of Law, Center for Bioethics and Health Law, University of Pittsburgh, Feb. 11, 2009
As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 60th anniversary, events in the Balkans, Sudan and Myanmar continue to challenge its guidelines while raising new questions about the prospects for humanitarian interventions. Do human rights transcend national borders and customs? Is the definition of human rights changing? How does health care relate to Human Rights. What are the legal aspects we should be thinking about in regards to human rights? Click here to watch this video now!
Spotlight on Georgia - Conflict and International Relations: His Excellency Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Dec 4, 2008
Fighting in Georgia’s region of South Ossetia in August caused widespread destruction and forced the world to focus on long-simmering tensions between Georgia and Russia. Now that the fighting has officially ended, what is to be done about the strained relations that remain? What does this mean for relations between these countries and the U.S.? Click here to watch this video now!